What makes America the greatest – and is it? (5 letters)

Leonard Pitts Jr. wrote a column published on last Sunday in which he agreed with a television character that America is no longer the greatest nation on the planet. Very well, Mr. Pitts, which country is the greatest? Is it one of the fading democracies of Europe? Perhaps one of the corruption- and poverty-plagued countries of South America? Or a Middle Eastern state which supports terrorism and murder against anyone, including its own citizens, who does not agree with its leaders? An isolated country like Japan which welcomes foreigners as long as they depart quickly and leave cash behind?

I vote for the only country looked to by the rest of the world for the leadership necessary to protect the weakest from oppression, violence, disease and hunger, the country that has served as the beacon of democracy for generations. Yes, Mr. Pitts, your country may be imperfect, as any country run by people must be, but there isn’t any better. If you have trouble realizing that, then consider: if you had written that column in almost any other country, you would now be in prison.

Ambrose P. Rikeman, Aurora

This letter was published in the July 15 edition.

Kudos to Leonard Pitts Jr.’s article about “America the greatest.” I couldn’t agree more with his commentary and would like to add that perhaps one reason for our centuries-long obsession with ourselves is that many Americans are fundamentally insecure and need this constant chest-beating to validate themselves. In some ways we have a master-race mentality that we are it, and the rest of the world is still in caves.

I have lived in Europe for a number of years and have rarely seen such self-absorption. Look at how many of our politicians and newscasters wear flag lapel pins, as though there is any doubt they are Americans. What many Americans have lacked for years is a sense of humility. America is no different than most progressive nations — there is greatness and there are things that need fixing.

So Americans, put a lid on your flag-waving, because as Mr. Pitts alluded to, we lag far behind many countries in things like education, life expectancy, and, in my opinion, culture. What is our culture?

Walt Bonora, Lakewood

This letter was published in the July 15 edition.

The very essence of life in America evolves around the statement in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These guiding principles have protected us and much of the world from tyranny for more than 236 years. No other country can come close to guaranteeing individual freedom for that length of time. Plus, when people in other countries are in need, the citizens of the United States are there to protect and serve them often with great sacrifice.

Leonard Pitts Jr. should spend some time experiencing American greatness instead of watching “The Newsroom.” Following are some of my recommendations for him: listen to “God Bless America” by Ray Charles, buy lunch at a small-town deli, stand in the Lincoln Memorial at sunset, engage an immigrant in conversation about why he moved his family here, hop on the Staten Island Ferry and take a self portrait in front of the Statue of Liberty, march in a parade, touch the Liberty Bell, and listen to a high-school marching band play the Stars and Stripes Forever.

True greatness is achieved by the limitless actions of hundreds of millions of United States citizens living, working and pursuing happiness in a free country everyday. No one political movement or audacious spectacular thing will define us all.
Yes, we can be assured of our wonderfulness as long as we protect and value our individual freedom.

Don Hawkinson, Arvada

This letter was published in the July 15 edition.

Leonard Pitts Jr. expressed sanity in the face of a dysfunctional society which refuses to face up to, acknowledge and remedy its irresponsible attitude and ways of dealing with realities which suggest digging deeper into ourselves for answers. This takes courage and honesty rather than false patriotic flag-waving and declarations of American superiority and greatness. These views walk hand in hand with a victimization status wherein we find scapegoats to blame for all that goes wrong. Such irresponsibility is dangerous.

Arrogance is a false security, righteousness and superiority which encourages an abandonment of recognizing the human condition and its frailty so easily drawn to self-serving choices and self-seeking goals. Free markets, military build-up and bravado, unfettered capitalism, with corporate, financial and business worlds not hampered by regulations, all contribute to the how and why of where we are at the present time. Our lack of attention and ever-looking-forward view of life saves us from soul-searching introspection and admitting our faults and failings to ourselves as well as to the rest of humanity.

There are no easy, quick, simple answers to complex, complicated and intricate problems facing society in every expression of itself. Perhaps our inspiration, for a restoration to greatness, will be found in every American committing anew to “We the People” and making the common good of all Americans the objective goal and purpose of our future.

Mark Franceschini, Denver

This letter was published online only.

Americans think they live in the greatest country in the world, but America’s “greatness” depends entirely on its ability to slaughter innocent people with its military. America leads the world in the mass murder of innocent Muslim children, women and men. Americans spend billions of their tax dollars on the military protecting giant international corporations around the world and stealing vast amounts of wealth from the rest of the world.

“Great” people don’t murder children to protect their “freedom.” Monsters do that.

Tom Carberry, Denver

This letter was published online only.

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Walt, I’m sorry, but this “I have lived in Europe for a number of years and have rarely seen such self-absorption.” is nonsense. Well, I’m not positive about Europe, but we had a Japanese exchange student live with us and they have great pride in their nation. And what about the way the french look down on others?

Wait, what about Tom’s nonsense. ” America leads the world in the mass murder of innocent Muslim children, women and men.” Muslim suicide bombers killed 23 people at a wedding reception, not US soldiers.

Or try this double -speak from Mark- “Arrogance is a false security, righteousness and superiority which
encourages an abandonment of recognizing the human condition and its
frailty so easily drawn to self-serving choices and self-seeking goals.
Free markets, military build-up and bravado, unfettered capitalism, with
corporate, financial and business worlds not hampered by regulations,
all contribute to the how and why of where we are at the present time.
Our lack of attention and ever-looking-forward view of life saves us
from soul-searching introspection and admitting our faults and failings
to ourselves as well as to the rest of humanity.” Would someone explain this to the rest of us.

At least Ambrose and Tom understand how great our nation is. I don’t think most of the world would disagree with their take on our country. We may not be perfect, but we are better then our critics think we are.

Anonymous

The French think they are exceptional, the Japanese think they are exceptional, the British think they are exceptional, and so on.
Do I love this country? You bet.
But exceptionalism can lead to arrogance, paternalism, condescension, and a sense that we don’t need to change a thing, that we’re better than everyone else, and if we want something, why we can just move in and take it..
I do think this country can show a remarkable lack of introspection, admitting our faults and failings to ourselves, etc.
Of course, we should love our country, but we should do so with an open eye and a willingness to look for areas where we can improve.

jimmyB

Well said.

Gaius

Bulls***. You don’t have a clue what you are talking about.

Anonymous

What are you talking about? Hubris is never a good thing. Period.

Gaius

It’s not hubris if its founded on reality. Which country do you find to be better than the USA?

Anonymous

None but I say that with humility knowing how hard it was to get there and watching as people blind toss out our liberties in the name of security or while we invade countries without just cause. All those things are, or should be, below us as a nation.

Anonymous

Bravo, sir!

irisman

Memo to Mr. Hawkinson: the statement about all men being created equal is not in the Constitution; it’s in the Declaration of Independence.

ffpost

Let him go …he’s on a roll

Anonymous

but it goes to show the naivete’ of the right who live in a world of fantasy and faith.

Hawk

I am a naive small business owner who pays his taxes, employs people, provides for his familuy and works all over the globe. My fantasy land is pretty vast. Sorry I am such a shill for individual freedom. It comes from enjoying my simpleton Tea Party life.

jimmyB

Ah, but isn’t it great that nobody HAS to stay in this country, if they don’t like the way things are going, or agree with the beliefs and “faiths” of others? And what’s wrong with a little faith? Even some (though, not all) of those on the left have “faith” in their belief that their’s is the ONLY truth, just as it is with you, nothip. We each have our own worlds of fantasy, our own beliefs and our own faith in whatever.

Hawk

Thank you for the correction. I looked it up and it is the Declaration of Independence.

Anonymous

Yes it was in the DOI, thanks for the clarification.

But what no armchair historian will ever learn is that “all men” who were allegedly created equally was all about white men who owned property being equal while the blacks, women, or natives were left by the wayside.

The worst attribution of a DOI “right granted” by the Constitution is the right to pursue happiness whenever one is proceeding with a boneheaded maneuver like shooting fireworks in a drought, or highpointing a motorized sled/bike above treeline in avalanche slabs, or wildflower fields.

irisman

The US is the greatest country on earth, but it’s not a God-given entitlement. It took hard work by millions of people who came as immigrants, innovation, rich natural resources, and a willingness to tackle great projects. The country had to survive great crises, like the Civil War, the Depression, WWII, and the civil rights movement. If we let our infrastructure crumble, fail to educate our children properly, and lack the courage for great undertakings, we will wake up one morning and find we are no longer number 1. If you didn’t sleep through history class, you know that history doesn’t guarantee happy endings.

Anonymous

Thank you, sir!

jimmyB

What peterpi said, irisman.

Anonymous

It’s obvious that the likes of Ambrose Rikeman and Don Hawkinson, still “still don’t get it.” America’s greatness seems to lie in it’s self-serving pride rather than making it’s people the leaders in the world of humanity. Obviousy the “we vs they” types of Rikeman and Hawkinson, aka Republican Tea Party conservatives, just see things in black and white. Show me an example where any Republican has lauded the culture and accomplishments of an “old Europe” country? They are the pretenders. The people who live on faith and belief, rather than reality.

Gaius

What pap. The problem with you “please forgive us” types is that you don’t bother to learn history. Let’s see which European country should we thank first? Germany for giving us Marx and Hitler? France for giving us money in the American Revolution. We paid that back in World War I and World War II put them in our debt. England? We do owe them some, but it’s Obomo who is dissing them. Exactly which European Country do you think we should laud? When you talk about reality, it is obvious that you aren’t anywhere near it.

Anonymous

I say we laud Scotland for giving us fried chicken. No wait, Germany for hamburgers and frankfurters. No wait Italy for lasagna. No Belgium for waffles.

Anonymous

Don’t forget Jews, blacks, and gay men for much of our 20th Century culture.
And the Chinese to give the above-mentioned Jews a place to eat on December 25.

Anonymous

Oh how could I forget them? If it wasn’t for the Chinese I don’t know what I’d do for Christmas dinner. I must say I miss the old Jewish delis that used to be on West Colfax. It was there I learned the true meaning of the word “schmaltz”.

Anonymous

My parents never visited the West Colfax delis when I was young, but my dad used to take me to Ohle’s on East Colfax, and Sach’s on Broadway. Oy, the sights, the smells, the smoked fish, the various kinds of wurst. ** sigh **
Continental Sausage has a great variety of wurst these days, and canned and jarred goodies of all kinds from the Old Countries.
If you developed a taste for kosher food, check out East Side Kosher Deli. also (closed Saturdays).

Anonymous

Haven’t been there yet but perhaps I should make the trip.

Anonymous

I’ll add that I enjoy all the meats that compose great cuisine in the US be it Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, German or Kosher (just to name a few). It’s wonderful to see how immigrants took their native cultures and introduced them here. We are a beer country because of it.

Anonymous

Who cares who lauds who?

This IS an exceptional nation because of the individual liberties we enjoy and because of the individual liberties not enjoyed in other nations. It’s how we built the greatest economy and the greatest power the world has ever known.

That’s not anything to apologize for. (Lookin’ at you, Mr. Obama.) And it’s everything to celebrate.

Nan1

To Walt, Mark, and Tom, if you don’t like it here then I suggest you leave. Move, to perhaps Saudi Arabia, or China. and try to write your opinions about either of those countries in a publication there. I noticed Walt that you lived in Europe but you are back here. Humm I wonder why? If Europe was so great why didn’t you stay there. Like most who are sour grapes on this country we don’t take the time to stop and think about the freedoms we have. And yes that even includes believing that the country is not the best place in the world to live. But to those who believe this I feel sorry for you!

Anonymous

The beauty of this country is that we “can” offer dissent, we “can” disagree with attitudes and policies, and still be considered full-fledged citizens.
If “you” don’t like that, then you can see how “you” like it in China or Saudi Arabia.
“America, love it or leave it” is a policy for dissent suppression, for groupthink.
Point out what6 we consider wrong does not preclude thinking this is a great place to live.

Anonymous

Precisely. One of the things that truely makes us great is the fact we can point out our errors and ask them to be corrected. The love it leave it crowd seem to forget we have the right to ask for the redress of grievences.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1103087810 Steve Bennett

The competition was fierce but Nan wins the title of “The Most Un-American American” with this comment. No doubt Nan thinks himself a “great American” when in fact he is the antithesis of all America asks us to be. You know what we are number one at? We are number one in potential. Oh, I forgot about defense spending – we’re number one at that by far. But from disparity of income, healthcare, crime rates, corruption, equality, education – you name it – we lead the world in nothing and Nan, my friend, your “love it or leave it” attitude is only an anchor in our quest for greatness. That doesn’t mean I want you to leave the country – someday you really could be a great American!

Anonymous

Sorry Nan1 – “America, love it or leave it” was fought with a perfectly valid counter culture line: “America, change it or lose it”. Of course, when the corporatocracy has totally done away with the middle class and turned the US into a third world country, perhaps you will see things differently.

Anonymous

“What many Americans have lacked for years is a sense of humility.”

“Arrogance is a false security, righteousness and superiority which encourages an abandonment of recognizing the human condition and its frailty so easily drawn to self-serving choices and self-seeking goals.”

Sorry if that bothers you. But we’re No. 1, and I’m not afraid to say it.

Ethel

Considering how the ethically challenged Americans have, for over half a century, aided and abetted Israel in its ongoing rape of the Holy Land, some of the paeans to America’s shining virtues expressed above are conspicuously hare-brained.

Gaius

Considering how intellectually challenged you seem to be, I would be careful about calling others hare-brained. You seem to going for the bait the despots in the Middle East use to distract their people from their failures. Of course since you are probably voting for Obomo, you are a prime candidate to do that.

jimmyB

So, all the problems in this world have been the result of Israel? Guess groups lie Hamas, the Islamic Brotherhood, the Taliban, Iran, etc. haven’t had much to do with what’s been going on in that part of the world since Abraham’s time, huh?

TomFromTheNews

America is a great country and, apart from a few glaring flaws, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. However, when Mr. Hawkinson says, “The very essence of life in America…that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed…with certain inalienable rights, that among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, we must not forget that all people are NOT treated equally in a few key areas. Some groups of American citizens ARE alienated from their equal rights. Women still do not earn the same as men do for equal work in many areas (“created equal”) and, apart from a small handful of states, not everyone is allowed to marry the partner of his/her choice (“pursuit of happiness”). I guess it’s fair to say that America is a great IDEA, a work in progress. I have faith we’ll make it all the way, sooner rather than later.

ginico

People have their heads stuck in the sand – we are now way behind all of the othere Industrialized countries who have 1. Healthcare for all their people 2. High speed trains across their country. 3. Better pay, better vacation times, I know many will say, they have lots of money problems, but they like us have been duped by the big banks who played dishonestly with credit rates for their own benefit at costs to the people. And the Republicans think they don’t need to be regulated!

Sure Thing

Actually nimrod it’s the enorms entitlement system that has demotivated people from working for a living that has killed many of the European countries, not the bankers. High speed trains…Really? Sure when I think of a powerful nation that’s the first thing I think of. I mean who needs a military when you have a Hugh speed train? By the way when you say lots of money problems, is that a liberal word that means “BANKRUPTCY”?

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